This Nov. 12, 2013 photo shows the Dinkytown area in Minnesota. When University of Minnesota students returned to campus this fall, half a block of Dinkytown was gone. That site will house a six-story apartment complex next year. Across the street, another student housing project is already under construction. Doran Companies has proposed yet another development in the heart of Dinkytown. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Minnesota Daily, Amanda Snyder)

When University of Minnesota students returned to campus this fall, half a block of Dinkytown was gone.

That site will house a six-story apartment complex next year. Across the street, another student housing project is also under construction. Doran Cos. has proposed yet another development in the heart of Dinkytown.

As the neighborhood faces some of the most drastic changes in its history, the community is divided over preserving character or restoring vitality.

But heated discussions often have left out those with the most tangible power — the landowners.

Often faceless and sometimes states away, these property owners ultimately decide which tenants fill the area’s storefronts and who can buy Dinkytown real estate.

More than half of Dinkytown property owners surveyed by the Minnesota Daily said they’ve been approached by a developer interested in their land. Of Dinkytown’s 25 property owners, eight declined to participate in this story or didn’t respond to repeated interview requests.

Developers have been nosing around for decades, said Gary Eidson, co-owner of three Dinkytown properties since 1990, but he’s noticed keener interest in the past five years.

Steps from the university and bursting with businesses, Dinkytown is an ideal backdrop for complexes that address a pent-up demand for housing close to campus.

Minneapolis principal planner Haila Maze said the city council is eager to see those kinds of projects built. Its approval of two Dinkytown projects and denial of a proposed freeze on development speaks to that, she said.

“The cannons have come around to your side,” Bilotta said at a meeting of Dinkytown business owners in October.

About half of the buildings in Dinkytown were built before 1930.

Frank Vescio’s roots date back to 1956, when his father opened the family’s Italian restaurant.

Today, Vescio is one of Dinkytown’s last “lifers.” He’s watched the area change from a mom-and-pop shop hub to the bustling entertainment district it is today.

Vescio, a university alumnus and perennial men’s hockey season-ticket holder, said countless sports figures have come through his restaurant over the years.

In the ’80s, former Minnesota Twin and World Series MVP Frank Viola ate at Vescio’s the day before each game of a record-breaking winning streak, earning the restaurant a shout-out in Sports Illustrated.

“It’s been fun,” Vescio said. “We’ve gotten to know a lot of great people.”

While he’s collected 57 years worth of warm memories, Vescio said the future of his family’s long-standing eatery will fall to his children.

Just down the block, Roland “Rolly” Reidhead is debating the fate of his own 108-year-old building. He’s not actively looking to sell, but he said the offers that come in every couple of months are getting harder to refuse.

Reidhead said the building housing Gold Country Apparel has been in his family for five generations. During his time at the university, he lived in the building’s second-floor apartments.

But the building has worn down over time, he said, and could benefit from reinvestment.

“The developers have that ability,” Reidhead said. “They can invest long term and show the returns. My belief is that they are not going to hurt the area, but help the area.”

Reidhead said he understands the controversy over the apartment buildings under construction nearby.

“That’s like saying that new cars are better than old cars,” he said. “To some people they are, and to some people they aren’t.”

Laurel Bauer ended her family’s 80-year Dinkytown history when she sold the House of Hanson grocery store and other properties for $4.27 million.

Last summer, Richard Schaak, whose father started Schaak Electronics in 1957, sold the building housing Espresso Royale to the president of Green Mill Restaurants for $1.65 million.

And Jeffrey Meyers signed an agreement with Doran Cos. to sell the building housing Mesa Pizza, Dinkytown Tattoo and Camdi Restaurant. When he was 12, Meyers began working in the building at his father’s barbershop.

Meyers said his family’s history didn’t factor into the decision to sell.

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